I'd recommend Knit Picks Harmony. A good all around needle. You will also greatly appreciate the verrrrrrry long extra cable cords you can purchase from them which make for great magic loop sock knitting. Knit Picks has recently added an "extender" thingie which will allow two cable cords to be joined together.

I have Knit Picks Nickel-Plated, Harmony and Zephyr, as well as Denise Interchangeables, Boye Interchangeables, and Addi Clicks. I've used them all extensively. I think you will love Harmony's for all-purpose knitting and they don't break the bank.